My Bucket List

Some people may have seen the trailer for the new movie, Bucket List. In honor of the movie and the New Year, I have created my own Bucket List. I am going to start living my life with these items always in front of me. I guess that has been a problem of mine for awhile, I sacrifice my own happiness for the happiness of others. It has turned out to be my best and worst quality. I would do anything for the people I care about and sometimes I have been taken advantage of.....
Well, I'm not going to settle in this life, it's way too short. I am going to work my booty off to get the things I want. With God as my compass, I always will enjoy living and be truthful to myself.

MY BUCKET LIST
1. Write and publish a children's book-Since HS, I have wanted to write a children's book. I have a short story that I wrote that I am thinking about turning into a picture book.

2. Learn how to play the guitar and the piano better-Guitars are so awesome, not to mention how hot guys look when they play them. But I'd love to learn how to strum some basic tunes for my class and possibly write music someday. Piano lessons in fifth grade… Let's see I remember the notes and where to place my fingers, bout it.

3. Read the entire Bible- Throughout my life, my grandparents and parents have modeled a strong foundation in faith. Reading the entire Bible will allow me to explore the witnesses of God's love and deepen my faith. Bible Study is something I look forward to every week.

4. Sing in front of a huge audience- I love to sing! As long as I can remember I have loved music. My mom sung to us ALL the time as kids. I want to be that for my children someday but in the meantime, I just want to sing karaoke on stage somewhere. Plus I think it would be SO much fun. (Inspired by the movie PS I Love You. Oh and did I mention, the man I will marry wont be afraid to get on a stage and do the same :P)

5. Go on a cruise-Drinks, sunbathing and drinks… I just want to escape one day and visit places by cruising on the water drinking margaritas!

6. Go sky diving- Never really feared heights and jumping out of an airplane sounds like a lot of fun. So I'd like to go try it someday, more so than bungee jumping.

7. Pay off all of my Student Loans-The relief of paying off my student loans would be GREAT! The day I win the lottery to do it, trust me you will know!

8. Go skiing (water and snow)- I might be more likely to water ski first because I live near the water. But, I'd like to try both, hopefully without breaking a leg or swallowing gallons of water.

9. Visit Las Vegas ;)-I'd like to play the tables, lose my money, get tilted and visit a gentleman's club. Doesn't everybody do that in Vegas?!

10. See the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls-The beauty of our planet is endless and these two places are magnificent, I'm sure. To take it all in would be a moment I would never forget.

11. Read (10) classic books- It kills me, because in HS we were told to read certain books to make us better well rounded students. I know they are classics for a reason but sometimes I think we force our youth to read them, which in turn discourages them to read period. Over the summer is when I get more of a chance to read for pleasure, I'd like to choose 10 books that will leave a lasting impression on me.

12. Visit all seven continents- I just want to be able to say I have visited AANASAE. And when people ask me "where?" I respond by saying, very nerdy in a sing song voice "Ya know, Africa, Antarctica, North America, Asia, South America, Australia and Europe. " I know, I am such a dork!

13. Buy a house- I want a place to call my own, to paint and decorate the way I want. And when I say "I'm going to my house," It actually BE my house.

14. See a Catholic Mass in Rome-Growing up in a big Italian-Catholic family, I have always wanted to visit the Vatican and experience mass said by the Pope.

15. Get married to the man I will love forever as my best friend.-Oh boy, Do you think he's out there?? Sometimes I wonder… JK! Honestly, I just want to be able to wake up next to my best friend that makes me laugh every morning and love him with all my heart. Sounds simple doesn't it! :P

16. Write a song-I'd love to be able to express myself through a song I've written. Musicians do it all the time for me, but I'd like to pour my heart out in a song for others.

17. Flash a stranger ;p-Well, this can be checked off the list… (No judgment please, I ate a tub of butter. I love Grey's for that line!)

18. Work in a soup kitchen-I have worked downtown at Crisis Ministries before, but I'd like to become more consistent and giving of my time for the less fortunate.

19. Go to New York and see ground zero, and then run to the top of the Empire State Building, not mention the Statue of Liberty-I want to experience all that is New York City! I'd like to pray at ground zero then climb to the top of the Empire State Building to pose for pictures. Finally, to see what my ancestors saw when coming to Ellis Island, one of our country's many symbols of freedom, The Statue of Liberty.

20. Go deep sea diving-I love the water and being in the water. I would fit right in with my fish friends while under the sea, all the while living out my childhood dream of being a singing mermaid.

21. Own a beach house-As I said, I love the water, love the beach, would love to live as close as I can to them both. The beach at night is my favorite place to be, it's so peaceful and breathtaking!

22. Own a pool table-My second cousins have a game room with a pool table and all kinds of great things. I wouldn't mind a room with a pool table, foosball, maybe some air hockey, def Guitar Hero and a Wii. Invite people over all the time, for a good time.

23. Own a hammock in my back yard and a tire swing in the front J-Hammock to relax and read in, and a tire swing because I think it'd be pretty darn cute.

24. See a play on Broadway-Oh and while in New York, I will catch a Broadway play, don't care which one really. Just want to dress up for the theater and act all hoity-toity for the night. :P

25. Blow glass-It's so cool to be able to with just a breath change the shape of glass.

26. Make pottery- I so loved the scene in the movie Ghost when they made pottery together I want to make a piece of pottery. That was about all I liked of that freaky movie.

27. Learn to surfing and ride a wave- I've always been pretty athletic until recently but surfing just seems like a lot of fun. And the success of actually riding a wave would be so exhilarating.

28. See a Super Bowl-First of all, who wouldn't want to see a Super Bowl! (It'd be even better if the Colts were playing in it J) Second of all, you'd be an idiot not to want to see a Super Bowl! And third of all, I don't really have a third of all.

29. See the Ball Drop in Time Square-The people, the New Year, the good time and the atmosphere, need I say more?

30. Go to a Tropical Island and sun bath ALL day-Away from my life on a Tropical Island, to roast in the sun while reading one of those classics, sounds like paradise to me.

31. Shower in a waterfall- Doesn't it just sound romantic?

32. Own a puppy-When I have time to train him Ceasar style and be the pack leader, I want to love a puppy. I want a big dog!

33. Go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and earn some beads J-I'll just let your imagination take you there… ;)

34. Learn Spanish and use it-There are so many students and parents who only speak Spanish that walk into schools. I would love to be able to make their family's school experience as comfortable as I try to make my English speaking families. Sometimes it hurts my heart to see these families struggling especially when you know they want what's best for their children too.

35. Learn how to throw football in a spiral- Ok, as much as I have played football in the yard with my brothers and Dad, I still cannot throw a football correctly. Sad, I know. But I think just need some practice and instruction on how-to, any takers??

36. Learn how to sew-For as long as I can remember my mom has been sewing things, including matching outfits for my sister and I. You'd like to see those pictures, eh? Not happening! This summer my grandma gave a sewing machine and I'd like to be able to use it. Make a curtain here, sew a hem there…

37. Own a motorcycle-Wowie, the feeling of riding on a motorcycle is scary as much as it is thrilling, and that's why I want one!

38. Earn my National Boards Certification- Earning my National Boards would increase my pay and I'd be privileged to say that I am a Nationally Certified Teacher.

39. Go to Europe- I'd like to visit Italy, France, Germany, and England. There are so many places within these countries that I would like to visit I can't name them all!

40. Go muddin' on a four-wheeler-Driving a four-wheeler through mud and dirt sounds like a good time, beside the fact that sometimes I just like to get dirty.

41. Make love in complete silence with my in-laws in the next room-I know it's scandalous but sometimes I can't help myself.

42. Become an Expert on Guitar Hero- My newest obsession is Guitar Hero. It has yet to take over my entire life, but if I didn't have a full time job, I am pretty sure I would play it till my fingers fell off. By the way, does anyone else have a pain in their wrist since they started playing?? jw

43. Kiss some one in the pouring rain-Oh just like in the movie The Notebook… Just a little frenchie in the rain is all I'm askin :P

44. Get a small tattoo-Ok, so my friends have tried to peer pressure me into getting a tattoo and I really have not been one to fall victim to peer pressure unless a hot guy is involved. But anyway, I do want one, a small one. But I also want it to have some sort of meaning, especially if it's going to be there FOREVER! Plus I'm a chicken when it comes to any type of needles! So who knows when this will be checked off my list.

45. Have lots of children- I come from a rather large family and although there were rough financial times, we are each others best friends. I want a couple little ones running around in diapers. I know I am not ready for that leap yet, but I want half a football team. Lol jk....

46. Put my toes in the Pacific Ocean- I love the beach here on the East coast, I just wonder if I would love the West coast as much. Is it any different? Is the water clearer? Warmer?

47. Run the Cooper River Bridge-Ok, this is the year! I am going to be in the best shape of my life. After my grandfather past away August 2006, I ate like I hadn't in years and never exercised. Well, I have learned my lesson. I will not feel sorry for myself and drown my pain in food and television. I have found a healthy way. Exercising and eating right is the name of my game. Last year Amy, Emily and I walked the Bridge Run. This year we vowed to beat Granny aka Speedwalker and run the whole thing. Next week we are starting our training and I couldn't be anymore excited!

48. Bench press my weight-Being on the health kick that I am, I'd like to be able to bench press my weight. Recently I spoke to my brother about my weight loss and told about him about my breast losing some fluff. ( I told you we were each others best friends.) He informed me that it was because I was doing push ups that worked my chest muscles instead of doing bicep curls and tricep exercises to work my arm muscles. Good stuff huh?

49. Go camping and fool around in a tent, under the stars-Something about being in the wilderness that makes you wanna just… well, ya know.

50. Own a hot tub- Something about being in a hot tub… just kidding. I'd like to have a hot tub to relax in and enjoy with friends.

51. Learn how to shuffle on roller skates-I can roller skate pretty well, grew up doing it. But I can't shuffle skate. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is when 3 or 4 people skate in a line right behind one another and move their skates to the beat of the music at the same time. It's pretty neat. Oh, and I'd also like to learn how to skate backwards. I've bruised my booty a few times already attempting that.

52. Play strip poker-I'm ok at playing a hand of poker, but to add a twist with taking off clothes might make me better, right?! ;)

53. Get my Masters in Reading- I just love the order I came up with these items (strip poker next to getting my Masters.) I want to get my Masters in Reading so that I can say I got to the highest point of education. I'm not saying that I won't continue to learn, because God knows I learn more about myself and my job everyday.

54. Own a Wii- The children I baby-sit for got one for Hanukkah this year and I love playing with them. I'm pretty good at bowling and boxing. I woke up the day after I first tried it with muscle pain. It's a great work out. It is one of my new favorite things to do.

55. Make cookies all day with my kids and teach them how to make spaghetti- I guess it boils down to spending a lot of time with my kids. I want them to know how much I love and care about them by showing them how I love. In my family, we make cookies together and give them to our neighbors as gifts to show our love around Christmas. So we are spending time with one another and giving to others. Also, as a tradition, we have learned how to make the spaghetti passed down throughout our Italian family and I want my children to know how to make it as well.

56. Be the teacher my students will remember that loved them unconditionally- I love my job for that very reason. I get to love and teach children how to love. And of course, I want the best educational foundation to get them ready for their years of schooling. I try everything to make them more successful!

57. Have a fireplace in my house-I love the smell of a fire in a house and the warmth it brings. It's as simple as that.

58. Make snow angels in the snow- I've never made a snow angel in the snow. I just want to fall backwards onto the ground and make one.

59. Learn a ballroom dance-Ever since dancing with the stars, I have wanted to learn a ballroom dance. I wouldn't mind learning how to Salsa. I think it's sexy to know how to move your body.

60. Learn how to throw a curve ball accurately- I could probably throw an underhand curveball before an overhand one. I just wanna know where to put my fingers on the ball. (Oh boy that didn't sound right!)

61. Donate my hair to Locks of Love- My sister has donated her hair to Locks of Love twice. I guess I have just been selfish with my hair because it is one of my favorite features. I will donate it at some point in my life.

62. Catch a Bass! (for my Dad)-This summer we (my fam) went to our cousins lake house and I learned how to fish! I can bait the hook, cast the line and reeling 'em in. I even kissed my first fish. Here I come you large mouth bass!

63. Ride in a convertible with my hair down and music blaring-I enjoy riding in my car with the windows down, blaring music and singing obnoxiously. I just wanna try it in an awesome sweet ride!

64. Own a HUGE TV lol-To all my friends that know the history behind the Big HD Television, I actually would like to own one someday, key word someday. Besides, the NFL in HD is just awesome!

65. Learn how to give a kick ass back massage- Anybody can give a back rub, but I want to be able to hit pressure points and know what I am doing. My husband will be a lucky man. I don't rub feet though.

66. Buy a really expensive camera -I am going to take the day off and snap pictures all day long of people and things I love.

67. Kiss in a photo booth- Muah!

68. Be an extra in a film- I think it would be cool to be an extra and see famous stars. Then go to the movie opening weekend and see yourself in the film and when it comes out on DVD buy it! Plus it's a good conversation starter. "Hi, I'm Elizabeth. I was in a movie."

69. Go skinny-dipping in the Atlantic Ocean-My girls and I got close a couple of years ago. But we weren't completely naked, so to me, it doesn't count! ;)

70. Make love in every room of my house- oh not that I wouldn't do this anyway, I just want it on the list incase my hubby and I need a little spark.

71. Drive across America from coast to coast-ROAD TRIP! I want to drive across America and stop everywhere along the way!

72. Grow a garden, including veggies- I would love a garden full of beautiful flowers. But let's be real here, I will be lucky to get a bud! I have a hard time remembering to water plants.

73. Learn to roller blade and ice skate- As I have previously stated, I can roller skate, but I am here to tell you, rollerblading is not easier! And ice skating is on ice... hard, cold ICE!

74. Visit the capital and learn more about our country's history- My aunt lives in Alexandria, VA. I want to have her be my guide around Washington DC I want to see it all and she is just the person to show me! She is more animated than me and my mother if you know us, that's a scary thought!

75. Stay out all night dancing and go to work the next day without having gone home (just once) - This would be tough for me because I would be EXHAUSTED. But I'd like to try it sans drinking of course!

76. ______________ (this item will be left off the list to keep me from utter embarrassment, just know it has to do with one of my dirty little fantasies.)

77. Take a ride on the highest roller coaster in the country- I have never faced a roller coaster I didn't like, bring on the highest! I sound bad ass don't I? lol

78. Forgive everyone- I try to model forgiveness for my students and for everyone I meet. I will do my best to continue forgiving those that have wronged me in some way, like our Lord and Savior did.

79. Go white water rafting-I have been kayaking but I think the adrenaline from white water rafting would be amazing!

80. Learn to bartend- It would be pretty freggin' awesome to serve drinks to your friends at a party. And be pretty hot to learn how to spin the bottles in my hands, maybe even throw one in the air! (Ya know like that Coyote Ugly Movie, dancing on a bar would be fun too!)

81. Own all of my favorite children's books- I have a list of my favorite children's books I'd like to own to read to my own children. I absolutely love to read to kids, the voices I make up and the excitement in their eyes. It is one of my favorite parts of being a teacher. Well besides singing and dancing of course! :P

82. Crochet a sweater- This item was inspired by my favorite TV show, Greys Anatomy. Izzie taught Meredith how to crochet too get her mind off the men in her love life. I just love that show! I need to learn in a jiffy!

83. Be an audience member in a TV show- Preferably I'd like to see Oprah, Ellen or Rachel Ray when they are giving away free things. I love them!

84. Write my will-Well, you pretty much have to do this before you die… and if I get some of the things listed, I will want certain people to enjoy them after my time here is through.

85. Witness the birth of a baby, niece or nephew- I will of course be there for my children's birth… but I want to be there for my sister or brothers' wives to help bring a new life into this world.

86. Go rock climbing- I might need to work on the upper body strength but I am going to do it!

87. Spend a day at Disneyworld just being a kid- I know it's hard to believe but I've never been!

88. Swim with dolphins or manatees- They are such gentle animals. I mean, would I swim with sharks?

89. Watch the launch of a Space Shuttle-This item was inspired by a student last year that loved space shuttles and everything space. I want to see one blast off!

90. Walk a runway- Not that I want to be America's Next Top Model, I just want to walk on a runway in a hot outfit. Have you seen my runway walk?? ;)

91. Spend the whole day naked- It would probably be around the house but I am up for any suggestions.

92. Own the most comfortable bed made- I love to sleep and snuggle in bed, so of course I would want it to be pretty darn comfy!

93. Wallpaper one room in my house with black and white pictures of my family and people I love- I just think it would be beautiful with black and white furniture!

94. Learn how to fix my car, whenever it breaks! – With the amount of issues I have had with the vehicles I have owned... I will need to marry a damn mechanic if my luck doesn't get any better!

95. Visit a butterfly house- I have been to Cypress Gardens' Butterfly House but I was so preoccupied with my students on the Field Trip that I couldn't enjoy the beauty of the butterflies. I'd like to go back.

96. Get a front-row seat at a sporting event- I want to be able to smell the sweat… well close enough to. I don't necessarily have to smell it!

97. Wake up on a beach- To fall asleep in the arms of the man you love on a beach and then to watch the sun rise, it just sounds so dreamy.

98. Take an African Safari- The animals I'm sure would be incredible to see. And a lion or giraffe up close, exciting!

99. Ride on a train- Ever since I saw the Polar Express movie I have wanted to ride on a train. I know its make believe, but these children's movies are pretty awesome sometimes!

100. Get Completely Waxed!- OUCHIE! ;)

101. Keep all of my friends!-Sometimes I have a hard time keeping in touch with friends but I would hope they all know I am here for them whenever they need me! I love you all! I love this life!....